Shelby Forest

RV Date 68 - 75

Where do I begin.....

We did safely make it to Meehman Shelby Forest State Park. It is on the banks of the Mississippi just North of Memphis. Truck was riding a little low, probably because of all the treasures I have been collecting, and we hit a couple of bumps on the way that caused us to do several wheelies. I know it may be difficult to calculate how much tar to use to join up with concrete bridges, but my gawd a 12" dip is not right...... I decide we needed to get some air suspension installed before Terri and I get launched out of the windshield.

I am still amazed by the advanced physics that Memphians practice while driving. While doing 120 mph, they can relocate their cars across 5 to 6 lanes of bumper bumper traffic to get into the lane behind the person driving 37 mph on the interstate.

- Some will be unhappy with their choice and immediately lunge to the next lane where 75 loaded semi's are drafting each other with 6" of clearance at 80 mph. This of course causes the 75 trucks to slam on their brakes and scatter into all of the lanes regardless of the small pieces of metal and glass they may have to drive over..

- The others are happy, because jumping on the interstate, crossing 6 lanes of traffic all within 1/8 mile was how they were taught to drive......

We got to our campground by 1:30 or so. Terri jumped out of the truck and called me to guide me in. We have actually gotten pretty good at this. Backing a 36 foot trailer in-between trees, power poles, and water pipes can be a little challenging. Cant see on 1 side so no idea what you might crush. Of course, most of the time its a 90° angle, especially in the older campgrounds like this. The shouting, screaming and name calling is sure to draw a crowd with side bets being made..."bet he hits the tree"....

Hence the phone, no yelling or waving your arms like an idiot. CRAP I forgot! There is no phone coverage here.

Terri walked back up to the truck and we decided to go for it. Just started backing up when from nowhere a truck pulled up right behind us to leave the campground. Of course the road is not wide enough for them to go around us since the trees are boardering the road. Guess the jerk is going to sit behind us right in the way so I cant move. Probably in on one of the bets " bet he cant make it" Pulled forward to let the #%&#$ past and of course this caused me to hug the edge of the road about 3" from the trees. Tried anyway. Backed up to move from the edge when some kid rode his bike right next to the trailer and stopped to watch. Go away or you will be crushed. By now I was getting irritated. Tried again but could not back in to our reserved site because of obstacles. Giant Sycamore tree on the right edge of the pad/street junction and a phone terminal box on the left side, Loss of patience, you name it. I thought about just crushing the phone box, fresh examples from the highway afterall, but decided not to. Kind of ironic about the phonebox SINCE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PHONES IN THE CAMPGROUND

We decided to find another site. Actually the campground was relatively empty, about 3 to 4 sites filled out of the 70 or so available. So we looked for one that was big enough for our trailer and not sloping off on all sides.

Found it, it will be perfect and is not reserved. Looks like an easy back in relatively straight no problem starting now. What the hell are those 2 little girls doing walking in the middle of the road??!! OK, Terri is getting them out of the way. Oh of course here is another car that needs past. Holy moly the kid on the bike is back!! Terri, tell that kid to get away!! (I hear the betters laughing and give them the deathglare) Ok is the coast clear? Terri do you see anything? Nope. Ok starting to back up *STOP!!* That car I just let pass me whipped around the campground, got a friend and both cars are right where I need to go. Slam the truck and trailer foward and wave at them to get the hell past and stay out of the way. (That part might have been out loud) Nothing behind me that I can see so I yelled at Terri to watch out and floored it in reverse before Martians decided to land.

We are parked, but can we stay here? Went to check with the host and he said I was good for the night but we would have to check at the office to see if it was free for the week. He can't check because there is no phone service. Unhooked the trailer from the truck and drove the few miles back to the office to check. Well you can stay in that spot until Thursday morning, but then you will have to move, the ranger told me. Of course I do...😠 I asked about a couple of other sites but those were also booked. She rattled off a few site #s for me to look at and so I said thanks that I would be back in the morning. I had decided I was done for the day. As we drove back to the trailer I gave Terri the update. Not good enough. Since the 3 kids would be with us most of the week she didnt want to have to move while they were there.

Guess I wasn't done for the day was I. Checked the sites i had been given and yes they weren't worth a crap. We drove around and selected several new numbers and back to the office we go. Success we have a winning number! Back to the camp, hook the trailer back up, and glare out at the campground daring anyone to get in the way! (Saw a group of people facing away from us passing money amongst each other)

Stay tuned for details of the storm to end all storms....